The Hindu : New Delhi News : Red Cross stocking up more blood

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Friday, Aug 01, 2008
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New Delhi

Red Cross stocking up more blood

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

On a red alert following bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad

NEW DELHI: On a red alert following the bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad, the Indian Red Cross Bank here is stocking up more blood and also going in for up-gradation to offer the public the convenience of short waiting period for blood, sanctioning of blood without any on-the-spot replacement donor and better “quality” blood products.

“The country is on a red alert following the bomb blasts and we have to ensure that in case of any eventualities we don’t face a blood shortage. For that reason we are now holding two voluntary blood donation camps every day to ensure that we are able to maintain a healthy stock of blood and can contribute as and when there is a need for it,” said Indian Red Cross Society (Blood Bank) director Vanshree Singh on Thursday.

The preparedness aside, the Indian Red Cross with assistance from the German Red Cross is also working on renovation of its headquarters in the Capital which includes up-gradation of its facilities and launch of a training programme for the blood bank staff in India and neighbouring countries.

“When completed, it would translate into a more robust blood bank from where procuring blood and its products would be easier. We will also be able to coordinate better with government hospitals and also provide more storage space for trauma centres.

The Indian Red Cross is also working at improving voluntary blood collection facilities to push up its store stock. We aim to complete our work at the India Red Cross in about 36 months and the process is already on,” said Dr. Singh.

There are over 50 blood banks in the Capital of which over 20 are supported by the National AIDS Control Organisation. Annually the Indian Red Cross is able to collect about 3 lakh units of blood.

“On the whole, voluntary donation comes to about 30 per cent only, which needs to go up. Delhi is a city where lots of patients come in from neighbouring States to get treatment and surgery done and we have to ensure that people get good, clean blood in time and are not forced to take the help of professional blood donors.

This up-gradation will ensure that we are able to provide world standard facilities to patients totally dependent on us for blood,” Dr. Singh added.

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